Sunday, 27 February 2011

Peter Facinelli to promote charities & meet fans on 5th March in New Jersey

"There's an irony in a vampire asking for your blood," said Peter Facinelli, perhaps better known as Dr. Carlisle Cullen of the blockbuster film "Twilight" and "The Twilight Saga."

"I always think it's a good fit," Facinelli said.

On March 5, from noon to 5 p.m., Facinelli will visit Quaker Bridge Mall to spend time with fans and promote two charitable organizations focusing on two distinct causes: Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer and the Community Blood Council of NJ for emergency blood supplies.

Facinelli will spend the day in the mall's lower level center court for a meet-and-greet and autograph session, as well as a "Twilight"-inspired blood drive, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. just outside of Sears.

The star will sign autographs for $25 and take photos with fans for $40, plus $10 per additional person, in the afternoon, with part of the proceeds benefitting Alex's Lemonade Stand. More information can be found online at www.quakerbridgemall.com.

Those fans wishing to donate blood should contact the Community Blood Council of New Jersey at (609) 883-9750 ext. 145, or visit www.givebloodnj.org. Donors will automatically be entered to win a private dinner later that evening with Facinelli, and the first 25 donors will receive an autographed T-shirt.

"It's a day where fans and I get to get together and have fun," Facinelli told The Times in a phone interview yesterday, "but also, we're helping to save lives at the same time. Everybody wins in that respect."

Along with contributing to two great causes, he said he is looking forward to meeting some of his fans.

"It makes me excited to meet them," he said. "It's a long day, but no matter how tired I get, (I) get fed by the energy of the crowd."

And according to Marian Kapp, marketing director at Quaker Bridge Mall, there will be plenty of fans on hand.

"Fans as far as Virginia and Florida are planning on traveling to meet Peter Facinelli," she said.

Mary Moore, recruitment account manager for the Community Blood Council, said she hopes the event will be a win-win, where fans get to visit with a celebrity and the blood council receives donations.

"The winter months have really produced a lot of shortages for us," she said. "We're hoping that it brings in blood."